Table Of ContentIntegrality in the Steinberg module and
the top-dimensional cohomology of GL
n K
O
Thomas Church, Benson Farb, and Andrew Putman
∗
6
1
August 18, 2016
0
2
g
u Abstract
A
We prove a new structural result for the spherical Tits building attached to GLnK
7 for many number fields K, and more generally for the fraction fields of many Dedekind
1 domains : theSteinbergmoduleStn(K)isgeneratedbyintegralapartmentsifandonly
O
if the ideal class group cl( ) is trivial. We deduce this integrality by proving that the
] On
complexofpartialbasesof isCohen–Macaulay. Weapplythistoprovenewvanishing
T
N andnonvanishingresultsfoOrHνn(GLn K;Q),where K istheringofintegersinanum-
O O
ber field and νn is the virtual cohomological dimension of GLn K. The (non)vanishing
. O
h depends on the (non)triviality of the class group of K. We also obtain a vanishing the-
at orem for the cohomology Hνn(GLn K;V) with twisOted coefficients V. The same results
O
m hold for SLn K as well.
O
[
2 1 Introduction
v
7
1.1 The Tits building and the Steinberg module
0
3
One of the most fundamental geometric objects attached to the general linear group GL K
1 n
0 over a field K is its associated Tits building, denoted (K). The space (K) is the (n 2)-
n n
. T T −
1 dimensional simplicial complex whose p-simplices are flags of subspaces
0
5 0 ( V0 ( ( Vp ( Kn.
···
1
: ThegroupGLnK actson n(K)bysimplicialautomorphisms. BytheSolomon–Titstheorem
v T
[So], the space (K) is homotopy equivalent to a wedge of (n 2)-dimensional spheres, so
i n
X T −
it has only one interesting homology group.
r
a Definition 1.1 (The Steinberg module). The Steinberg module St (K) is the GL K-
n n
module given by the top homology group H ( (K);Z).
n 2 n
− T
The Solomon–Tits theorem also givesea generating set for Stn(K). A frame for Kn is
a set L = L ,...,L of lines in Kn such that Kn = L L . The apartment A
1 n 1 n L
{ } ⊕··· ⊕
corresponding to L is the full subcomplex of (K) on the 2n 2 subspaces span(L i I)
n i
T − | ∈
for ( I ( 1,...,n . The apartment A is homeomorphic to an (n 2)-sphere, so its
L
∅ { } −
fundamental class determines an apartment class
[A ] H ( (K);Z) = St (K)
L n 2 n n
∈ − T
which is defined up to 1. The Soloemon–Tits theorem states that Stn(K) is generated by
±
the set of apartment classes.
∗TC was supported by NSF grants DMS-1103807 and DMS-1350138 and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation;
BFwassupportedbyNSFgrantDMS-1105643;APwassupportedbyNSFgrantDMS-1255350andtheAlfred
P. Sloan Foundation.
1
1.2 Integrality and non-integrality
ConsideraDedekinddomain withfieldoffractionsK. WhiletheactionofGL K on (K)
n n
O T
is transitive, the action of GL is usually not, and indeed this action encodes arithmetic
n
O
information about . For example, the number of orbits of the GL -action on (K) is
2 2
O O T
the class number cl( ) of . In this context, we have the following natural notion.
| O | O
Definition 1.2 (Integral apartment). Let be a Dedekind domain with field of fractions
O
K. A frame L = L ,...,L of Kn is integral, and A is an integral apartment, if
1 n L
{ }
n = (L n) (L n).
1 n
O ∩O ⊕···⊕ ∩O
In the case = Z, and more generally when is Euclidean, Ash–Rudolph [AR, Theo-
O O
rem 4.1] proved that St (K) is generated by the fundamental classes of integral apartments.
n
Our first theorem extends this result of Ash–Rudolph to a wide class of Dedekind domains
of arithmetic type, whose definition we recall.
Definition 1.3 (Dedekind domain of arithmetic type). Let K be a global field, i.e.
either a number field ([K : Q] < ) or a function field in one variable over a finite field
∞
([K : F (T)] < ). Let S be a finite nonempty set of places of K; if K is a number field,
q
∞
assume that S contains all infinite places. The ring of S-integers
:= x K ord (x) 0 for all p S
S p
O { ∈ | ≥ 6∈ }
is a Dedekind domain, and we say that is a Dedekind domain of arithmetic type.
S
O
Theorem A (Integrality Theorem). Let be a Dedekind domain with cl( ) = 1 and
O | O |
field of fractions K. Assume either that is Euclidean, or that = is a Dedekind
S
O O O
domain of arithmetic type such that S > 1 and S contains a non-imaginary place. Then
| |
St (K) is spanned by integral apartment classes.
n
Under the conditions of Theorem A, the set of integral apartments in (K) is precisely
n
T
theGL -orbitofasinglestandardapartment. ThusTheoremAimpliesthatSt (K),which
n n
O
is obviously cyclic as a GL K-module, is in fact cyclic as a GL -module.
n n
O
Remark 1.4. Ash–Rudolph’s proof [AR] of Theorem A when is Euclidean is based on a
O
beautifulgeneralization of the methodof continued fractions to higher dimensions. Using the
Euclideanfunctionon asameasureof “complexity”, theygive analgorithm towriteanon-
O
integral apartment class as a sum of integral apartment classes. Our proof is quite different,
even in the special case that is Euclidean: non-integral apartments never actually show up
O
in our proof, and we do not even make use of the fact that St (K) is generated by apartment
n
classes.
By Dirichlet’s theorem, the group of units has rank S 1, so the assumption S > 1
OS× | |− | |
is equivalent to = . The assumptions on S rule out only two families of Dedekind
OS× ∞
domains of arith(cid:12)meti(cid:12)c type, for which Theorem A need not hold (see Remark 4.1 below):
(cid:12) (cid:12)
the ring of integers in a totally imaginary number field K;
K
• O
those in positive characteristic with finitely many units, such as F [T].
S q
• O
The assumption in Theorem A that cl( ) = 1 obviously excludes many more examples.
S
| O |
However, this assumption is necessary in a strong sense, as the following theorem shows.
Theorem B (Non-Integrality Theorem). Let be a Dedekind domain with field of frac-
O
tions K. If 1 < cl( ) < and n 2 then St (K) is not generated by integral apartment
n
| O | ∞ ≥
classes.
Theorem B applies in particular to all number rings with nontrivial class group.
2
1.3 The top-degree cohomology of GL and SL
n K n K
O O
When is theringof integers in anumberfieldK, theSteinbergmoduleSt (K)is directly
K n
O
connected to the cohomology of GL and SL , as we now explain.
n K n K
O O
Let r (resp. 2r ) be the number of real (resp. complex) embeddings of . Then
1 2 K
O
OK ⊗R ∼= Rr1 ⊕ Cr2 and GLn(OK ⊗ R) ∼= (GLnR)r1 × (GLnC)r2. The quotient MK of
the associated symmetric space by the discrete group GL is a Riemannian orbifold with
n K
O
H∗(MK;Q)∼= H∗(GLnOK;Q).
The computation of these cohomology groups is a fundamental problem in group theory,
topology and number theory. The existence of M implies that Hi(GL ;Q) = 0 for
K n K
O
i > dimM . But since M is not compact, it is not even clear what the largest i for which
K K
Hi(GL ;Q) = 0 is. The first progress on this basic problem came in 1973 by Borel and
n K
O 6
Serre [BS]. Recall that the virtual cohomological dimension of a virtually torsion-free group
Γ is
vcd(Γ) := max k Hk(Γ;V Q)= 0 for some Γ-module V .
{ | ⊗ 6 }
ByconstructingandanalyzingacompactificationoftheorbifoldM ,Borel–Serreprovedthat
K
vcd(GL ) is equal to ν := r n+1 +r n2 n. In particular Hk(GL ;Q) = 0 for
nOK n 1 2 2 · − nOK
k > νn. The coefficient module V u(cid:0)sed(cid:1)by Borel–Serre to certify that Hνn(GLn K;V) = 0 is
O 6
infinite-dimensional. This left open the question as to whether or not GL has untwisted
n K
O
rational cohomology in the top dimension ν .
n
In 1976 Lee–Szczarba [LS, Theorem 1.3] answered this question in the special case that
is Euclidean, proving that Hνn(GL ;Q) = 0 for these . Except for some explicit
K n K K
O O O
computations in low-dimensional cases (sometimes with the help of computers), there seems
to have been no progress on this question since Lee–Szczarba.
Our next theorem extends the theorem of Lee–Szczarba from Euclidean number rings to
manynumberringswithclass number1(weremarkthateven intheEuclidean caseourproof
is different from that of Lee–Szczarba). In addition to untwisted coefficients Q, it also gives
a result for twisted coefficient systems arising from rational representations of the algebraic
group GL . Let ν := vcd(SL ); an explicit formula for ν is given in 4 below. For
n n′ n K n′
O §
λ = (λ ,...,λ ) Zn with λ λ , let V be the rational GL K-representation with
1 n 1 n λ n
∈ ≥ ··· ≥n
highest weight λ, and define λ = (λ λ ).
k k i=1 i − n
P
Theorem C (Vanishing Theorem). Let be the ring of integers in an algebraic number
K
O
field K with cl( ) = 1. Suppose that K has a real embedding or that is Euclidean.
K K
| O | O
Then
Hνn′(SLn K;Vλ) = Hνn(GLn K;Vλ) = 0
O O
for n 2+ λ . In particular, Hνn′(SLn K;Q)= Hνn(GLn K;Q) = 0 for n 2.
≥ k k O O ≥
For twisted coefficients, Theorem C seems to be new even in the case when is Eu-
K
O
clidean. As we discuss in Remark 4.1 below, the assumption that K has a real embedding is
necessary if is not Euclidean.
K
O
In contrast to Theorem C, a different phenomenon occurs when cl( ) = 1.
K
| O | 6
Theorem D (Non-Vanishing Theorem). Let be the ring of integers in an algebraic
K
O
number field K. Then for n 2,
≥
dimHνn′(SLn K;Q) dimHνn(GLn K;Q) ( cl( K) 1)n−1.
O ≥ O ≥ | O |−
Theorem D is classical for n = 2; see Example 5.6. For n 3 the result and method of
≥
proof are new. Unlike Theorem C, there is no version of Theorem D for twisted coefficients.
For example, if K is any field of characteristic 0 then Hi(GL K;Kn) = 0 for all i 0.
n
≥
3
Remark 1.5. The cohomology of arithmetic groups such as SL has been fruitfully
n K
O
studied via the theory of automorphic forms, see e.g. [F1, FS]. However, it can be difficult
to extract concrete statements from them. For example, it is not clear how to see from [F1]
even Borel–Serre’s result that the rational cohomology of SL vanishes above its vcd, let
n K
O
alone the sharper vanishing of Theorem C.
Franke [F2] has also given a more practicable description of the Hecke-trivial subspace
of H (SL ;Q). For example, for a quadratic imaginary field K = Q(√ d), it can be
∗ n K
O −
deduced from [F2, Theorem 9] that Hi(SL ;Q) contains no Hecke-trivial cohomology for
n k
O
i > ν n+1. But as Theorem D shows, this cannot capture all the cohomology; indeed,
n′
−
the Hecke action on the classes we construct in Theorem D will be twisted by nontrivial ideal
class characters.
1.4 Relationship between Integrality and Vanishing/Non-Vanishing
Theorems C (Vanishing) and D (Non-Vanishing) relate to the Integrality Theorem (Theo-
rem A) as follows. While GL does not satisfy Poincar´e duality, Borel–Serre [BS] proved
n K
O
that it does satisfy Bieri–Eckmann duality with rational dualizing module St (K). This
n
means that for any QGL -module V and any i 0 we have
n K
O ≥
Hνn−i GLnOK; V ∼= Hi GLnOK; Stn(K)⊗V .
(cid:0) (cid:1) (cid:0) (cid:1)
This implies in particular that
Hνn(GL ;Q) = H (GL ;St (K) Q) = (St (K) Q) . (1.1)
nOK ∼ 0 nOK n ⊗ ∼ n ⊗ GLnOK
Equation (1.1) converts the problem of computing Hνn(GL ;Q) to the problem of un-
n K
O
derstanding the GL -action on St (K). This understanding is precisely what is given by
n K n
O
the Integrality Theorem, which is applied directly to prove Theorem C.
As for Theorem D, the projection (K) (K)/GL induces a map
n n n K
T → T O
Stn(K) → Hn−2(Tn(K)/GLnOK;Z) ∼= ZN where N = (|cl(OK)|−1)n−1.
By Equation (1.1),ethis map rationally factors through Hνn(GL ;Q). It turns out that
n K
O
(K)/GL is also a spherical building (see Proposition 5.4 below). The hard part
n n K
T O
in proving Theorem D is showing that this map is surjective. This is difficult because the
apartments of (K)that generate St (K) aremade upof n!simplices, whiletheapartments
n n
T
of (K)/GL haveonly2n 1 simplices. Sincen! 2n 1,mostapartmentsof (K)will
n n K − − n
T O ≫ T
bedrapedover ahugenumberof apartments inthequotient, and itis difficultto describethe
resulting homology class. However, we show that by making careful choices, each apartment
of (K)/GL can be lifted to a certain special apartment of (K) for which all of the
n n K n
T O T
remaining n! 2n 1 simplices exactly cancel each other out, leaving the desired homology
−
−
class. This requires a delicate combinatorial argument.
1.5 The complex ( ) of partial bases
n
B O
The first step in our proof of Theorem A is to consider a certain “integral model” ( ) for
n
B O
the Tits building (K). The complex of partial bases ( ) is the simplicial complex whose
n n
T B O
maximal simplices are bases of n. Letting C ( ( )) be the (n 1)-chains of ( ), we
n 1 n n
O − B O − B O
define in 3 an integral apartment class map
§
φ: C ( ( )) St (K)
n 1 n n
− B O →
4
sendingabasis for n to theintegral apartmentclass determinedby thecorrespondingframe
O
of Kn. Theorem A is the assertion that φ is surjective. We prove that φ is surjective as long
as ( ) is as highly connected as possible. Our last main theorem is that this connectivity
n
B O
does indeed hold.
A d-dimensional complex is d-spherical if it is (d 1)-connected, in which case it is
−
homotopy equivalent to a wedge of d-spheres. A simplicial complex X is Cohen–Macaulay
(abbreviated CM) of dimension d if:
1. X is d-spherical, and
2. for every k-simplex σk of X, the link Link (σk) is (d k 1)-spherical.
X
− −
The following theorem is the main technical result of this paper, and is of independent
interest.
Theorem E (Bn(OS) is Cohen–Macaulay). Let S be a Dedekind domain of arithmetic
O
type. Assume that S > 1 and that S contains a non-imaginary place. Then ( ) is CM
n S
| | B O
of dimension n 1 for all n 1.
− ≥
Note that, unlike our other results, in Theorem E we make no assumption about the
class group cl( ). Theorem E applies to any number ring possessing a real embedding
S K
O O
֒ R (with the exception of Z), as well as to every with = in which some
OK → OS OS× ∞
prime p is invertible. Maazen [Ma] proved earlier that for any E(cid:12)ucl(cid:12)idean domain , the
(cid:12) (cid:12) O
complex of partial bases ( ) is CM of dimension n 1.
n
B O −
TheproofofTheoremEisgiven in 2. Itisacomplicated inductiveargumentontherank
§
n. To make the induction work, we need to prove that a more general class of “complexes of
I-bases” relative to an ideal I are CM. It is in proving this stronger statement in the
⊂ O
base case n = 2 that the specific arithmetic hypotheses on are used.
S
O
Remark 1.6. Resolving a conjecture of Quillen, Van der Kallen [vdK, Theorem 2.6] proved
that if a ring R satisfies Bass’s stable range condition SR , then (R) is (n d)-connected.
d n
B −
Any Dedekind domain satisfies Bass’s stable range condition SR , so by Van der Kallen’s
3
O
result it was known that ( ) is (n 3)-connected. However, Theorem E includes the
n
B O −
stronger assertion that ( ) is (n 2)-connected; therefore to prove Theorem E requires us
n
B O −
to go beyond these known results and show that ( ) is as highly connected as if were
n
B O O
a field or local ring!
Our proof of Theorem E uses a stronger condition that can be thought of as “SR ”
2.5
which Reiner proved holds for all Dedekind domains. One might hope that Theorem E could
be proved by an argument mimicking [vdK] by simply substituting this “SR ” condition in
2.5
place of SR . But this cannot be so, because the story is more complicated: in Theorem 2.1
3
below we show that Theorem E is not true for all Dedekind domains, nor even those of
arithmetic type. New ideas are needed. See 2.1 for a high-level discussion of the difficulties
§
that arisein extendingVan derKallen’s results to thissituation, andan explanation of where
the hypotheses of Theorem E come from.
Outline of paper. In 2 we prove that ( ) is CM for appropriate (Theorem E). We
n
§ B O O
apply this result in 3 to the integral apartment class map to prove the Integrality Theorem
§
(TheoremA).Thisresultisappliedin 4toprovetheVanishingTheorem(TheoremC)forthe
§
top degree cohomology of SL and GL . The Non-Vanishing Theorem (Theorem D)
n K n K
O O
and the Non-Integrality Theorem (Theorem B) are proved in 5.
§
Acknowledgments. We are grateful to an anonymous referee for their careful reading,
which improved this paper greatly, and in particular was invaluable for the overview in 2.1.
§
5
2 ( ) is CM of dimension n 1
n S
B O −
In this section we prove Theorem E. We also prove the following contrasting result.
Theorem 2.1. Let belong to one of the families of Dedekind domains of arithmetic type:
S
O
1. K = Q(√d) and = for d< 0 squarefree with d 1, 2, 3, 7, 11 .
S K
O O 6∈ {− − − − − }
2. [K : F (T)] < with q odd, S = deg , and either cl( ) = 1 or degf 2.
q f S
∞ { } | O | 6 ≥
Then the (n 1)-dimensional complex ( ) is not Cohen–Macaulay for any n 2.
n S
− B O ≥
In particular, Theorem 2.1 implies that ( ) is not connected, so Van der Kallen’s
2 S
B O
result is sharp. For example, neither B2(Z[√−5]) nor B2(Z[1+√2−43]) is connected, even
though both are Dedekind domains and Z[1+√ 43] is even a PID. Similarly, for K = F (T)
2− 3
and f = deg we have = F [X,√X X2], so (F [X,√X X2]) is not connected.
T2+1 f ∼ 3 2 3
O − B −
Theorem 2.1 is proved in 2.4.
§
Outline. Webeginin 2.1withahigh-leveloverviewoftheproofofTheoremE;thisoverview
§
isseparatefromtheactualproof,andcanbeskippedifdesired,butforbothexpertsandnon-
experts it should beusefulin understandingthe structureof the proof. In 2.2 we summarize
§
basic properties of Dedekind domains and Cohen–Macaulay complexes.
We prove Theorem E by induction, but to do this we must strengthen the inductive
hypothesis to a stronger result (Theorem E) applying to a more general family of simplicial
′
complexes; we introduce these in 2.3. The body of the proof then occupies 2.4, 2.5, 2.6,
§ § § §
2.7, and 2.8.
§ §
2.1 A bird’s-eye view of the proof of Theorem E
Inthis subsection wegive an overview of our approach toTheorem E,includinga comparison
with related classical results and an explanation of the differences that arise in our situation.
This overview is written at a higher level than the proof itself, which is given in 2.3, 2.4,
§ §
2.5, 2.6, 2.7, and 2.8. It may be especially useful for experts who are already familiar
§ § § §
with past results on complexes of partial bases, such as the work of Quillen–Wagoner [Wa]
or Van der Kallen [vdK]. Nevertheless, the overview should be useful for any reader in
understanding the big-picture structure of the argument. We have kept the notation in this
section consistent with the remainder of the paper. For simplicity, some of the definitions in
this subsection may be missing or imprecise; precise definitions of all terms used are given in
the proofs themselves.
Notation. All the connectivity bounds we obtain or desire in this overview are of the same
form: if a complex is (N +1)-dimensional, our goal is always that it is N-connected, or in
other words that it is spherical. As a result, in this outline there is no need to keep track of
the precise connectivity or dimensions that arise; instead, the reader is encouraged to think
of “spherical” as meaning “as highly connected as appropriate”, or simply “nice”. To foster
this, by an abuse of notation we will similarly say (in this section only) that the link of a
simplex, or a map between complexes, is spherical if it has the appropriate connectivity.1
This will allow us to describe the structure of the argument without getting bogged down in
numerics.
1Thereaderwillhavenoneedoftheprecisenumerics,butforcompleteness: wesayalinkofa(k−1)-simplex
inan(N+1)-dimensionalcomplexissphericalifitis(N−k)-connected,andamapbetween(N+1)-dimensional
complexes is spherical if the map is N-connected.
6
Approach to Theorem E. Our main goal is to prove by induction on n that the complex
of partial bases ( ) is spherical. We will defer the discussion of the base case until later,
n
B O
since certain details would be misleading at this point.
As a stepping-stone, we will make use of the full subcomplex (0) on vectors whose last
n
B
coordinate is either 0 or 1. The inductive hypothesis implies straightforwardly that (0) is
n
B
spherical(bycomparingwiththefullsubcomplexonvectors whoselastcoordinateis0, which
is isomorphic to ( )). Therefore it suffices to show that the inclusion of the subcomplex
n 1
B − O
(0) ( ) is spherical.
n n
B → B O
Classical approach. It is sometimes possible to verify the connectivity of such an inclusion
“simplex-by-simplex”, in the following way. Say that the 0-link of a partial basis v ,...,v
1 k
{ }
in ( ) is its link inside the subcomplex (0), i.e. the intersection of its link with this
n n
B O B
subcomplex. If one could verify that the 0-link of each partial basis v ,...,v in ( ) is
1 k n
{ } B O
spherical, it would follow that the injection itself is spherical.
We point out that the full link in ( ) of a partial basis v ,...,v is not so hard to
n 1 k
B O { }
understand. The quotient map from n onto n/ v ,...,v = n k induces a map from
O O h 1 ki ∼ O −
the link of v ,...,v to ( ). This map is not an isomorphism, but it “fibers” the
1 k n k
{ } B − O
former over the latter in a convenient way (cf. Def. 2.17), from which one can show that
the former is spherical if and only if the latter is. In particular, we know by induction that
all links in ( ) are spherical; however the question remains of whether the 0-links are
n
B O
spherical.
In the case of a local ring or semi-local ring, where the result was proved by Quillen [Wa,
Proposition1]andVanderKallen[vdK,Theorem2.6]respectively, thisapproachdoesindeed
work: by relating with ( ), one can show that the 0-link of every partial basis is
n k
B − O
spherical, so the desired connectivity follows. However, for Dedekind domains this is simply
false. There are two distinct problems that arise.
Problem 1: some partial bases are bad. The first problem is that even in the simplest
cases, there are some partial bases for which there is no hope that their 0-links will be
spherical. Consider for example the vertex v = (2,5) of (Z): to be spherical its 0-link
2
B
would need to be ( 1)-connected, i.e. nonempty, but it is easy to check that its 0-link is
−
empty (the key property is that 2 / Z +5Z).
×
∈
To get around this, we single out a special class of partial bases whose 0-link has a better
chance of having the appropriate connectivity: we say that a partial basis is good if it is
contained in some basis where some vector has last coordinate equal to 1 (Def. 2.10). We
warn the reader that the “good subcomplex” formed by these good partial bases is definitely
not a full subcomplex (Prop. 2.14).
Problem 2: strengthening the inductive hypothesis. The other problem, even after
passing to this good subcomplex, is that our inductive hypothesis is no longer strong enough.
The issue comes from the restriction on the last coordinate. We saw above that the link of
v ,...,v fibersover ( ). Wearenowinterestedinthe0-link,whichisthesubcomplex
1 k n k
{ } B − O
includingonly those vectors whoselast coordinate is 0 or 1. This subcomplexnolonger fibers
over ( ); most simplices in ( ) are inaccessible by such vectors. Indeed, if J
n k n k
B − O B − O ⊂ O
is the ideal generated by the last coordinates of v ,...,v , the only vectors in ( ) in
1 k n k
B − O
the image of the 0-link are those whose last coordinate is congruent to 0 or 1 modulo J.
To deal with this, we introduce a new complex (I) defined relative to an ideal I ,
m
B ⊂ O
consisting only of vectors whose last coordinate is 0 or 1mod I (with some additional
≡
conditions, see Def. 2.4). To continue the induction, we are forced to go back and strengthen
7
our inductive hypothesis to the stronger claim (Thm E) that (I) is spherical for every
′ m
B
ideal I .
⊂O
In most cases this resolves the issue: the 0-link in ( ) fibers over (J), so the
n n k
B O B −
strengthened inductive hypothesis gives us the necessary connectivity.
However there is a further problem in one case. If J = (a case that one might have
O
expected tobeeasier), althoughthe0-linkdoesmapto ( ), itisnot fiberedinthesame
n k
B − O
convenientway. Tohandlethis,weareforcedtointroduceaweakernotionof“fiberedrelative
to a core” (Def. 2.17); although this condition is quite technical, it seems to be necessary
to push the induction through in this case. We point out that this step is one of the main
reasons that in Thm E/E we have to prove that ( ) is Cohen–Macaulay, and not just
′ n
B O
highly connected (cf. Remark 2.22).
Returning to the base case. Let us returnto the discussion of the base case, which we set
aside earlier. The key base case for us is n = 2, in which case Thm E states that the graph
′
(I) should be connected for any ideal I. The connectivity of this graph is directly related
2
B
to the question of elementary generation for congruence subgroups of SL ( ) relative to the
2
O
ideal I (Prop.2.7). Thereforewecan usethework of Vaserstein–Liehl andBass–Milnor-Serre
on relative elementary generation to show that (I) is indeed connected; our conditions on
2
B
come directly from the hypotheses of Vaserstein–Liehl and Bass–Milnor-Serre.
O
We can now see why we deferred the base case until the end: if we had discussed it before
introducing the complexes (I) and Thm E, it would have seemed that the base case of
2 ′
B
Thm E needs only the connectivity of ( ). But the connectivity of ( ) only needs
2 2
B O B O
elementary generation for SL ( ) itself, rather than for its congruence subgroups; the former
2
O
is a much easier condition, and holds for a broader class of Dedekind domains. In particular,
one could not see from this perspective where the restrictions on in Thm E come from.
O
The n = 2 base case also plays another completely separate role in our proof: it turns
out to be key in the first part of the inductive step, letting us show that we really can reduce
to the “good subcomplex” discussed above. This is also where we use the “SR ” condition
2.5
mentioned in Remark 1.6.
Structure of the proof. 2.2 summarizes elementary facts about Dedekind domains and
§
Cohen–Macaulaycomplexes; expertscanskipthissection. In 2.3weintroducethecomplexes
§
(I) and state Theorem E, which includes Theorem E as a special case.
n ′
B
The remainder of 2 is occupied by the proof of Theorem E, by induction on n. In 2.4
′
§ gd §
we establish the base cases n 2. In 2.5 we define a subcomplex (I) (I) consisting
n n
≤ § B ⊂ B
gd
of “good simplices” and prove that ( (I), (I)) is (n 2)-connected. In 2.6 we prove
n n
B B − §
gd
that ( (I), (0)) is (n 2)-connected. In 2.7 we prove that (0) is (n 2)-connected.
n n n
B B − § B −
In 2.8 we prove the connectivity of links, and assemble these pieces to prove Theorem E.
′
§
2.2 Dedekind domains and Cohen–Macaulay complexes
2.2.1 Dedekind domains
Let be a Dedekind domain with field of fractions K. We recall some basic facts about ;
O O
for proofs see e.g. [Mi].
Projective modules. Every submodule of a projective -module is projective. If M is a
O
finitelygeneratedprojective -module,therank ofM isdefinedbyrk(M) := dim (M K).
K
O ⊗O
The following standard lemma summarizes some properties of projective -modules.
O
8
Lemma 2.2. Let be a Dedekind domain with field of fractions K and let M be a finitely
O
generated projective -module of rank n 1.
O ≥
(a) A submodule U M is a direct summand of M if and only if M/U is torsion-free.
⊂
(b) If U and U are summands of M and U U , then U is a summand of U .
′ ′ ′
⊂
(c) The assignment U U K defines a bijection
7→ ⊗O
Direct summands of M K-subspaces of M K
{ } ←→ { ⊗O }
with inverse V V M.
7→ ∩
The class group. Theclass group cl( )isthesetofisomorphismclassesofrank1projective
O
-modules. The tensor product endows cl( ) with the structure of an abelian group, which
O O
we write additively; the identity element is given by the free module . For every rank n
O
projective -module M there is a unique rank 1 projective -module I cl( ) such that
O O ∈ O
M = n 1 I. We write [M] = I cl( ) for this element. For two finite rank projective
∼ −
O ⊕ ∈ O
-modules M and M , we have the identity [M M ] = [M]+[M ]. Two such modules M
′ ′ ′
O ⊕
and M are isomorphic if and only if rk(M) = rk(M ) and [M] = [M ].
′ ′ ′
The complex of partial bases. A partial basis for n is a set v ,...,v of elements of
1 k
O { }
n that can be completed to a basis v ,...,v ,v ,...,v for n. As we mentioned in
1 k k+1 n
O { } O
the introduction, the complex of partial bases ( ) is the simplicial complex whose (k 1)-
n
B O −
simplices are partial bases v ,...,v for n. Steinitz proved in 1911 that when is a
1 k
{ } O O
Dedekind domain, a vector v = (a ,...,a ) n lies in a basis for n if and only if v is
1 n
∈ O O
unimodular, that is, the coordinates a ,...,a generate the unit ideal of ; see [Re]. The
1 n
{ } O
vertices of ( ) are therefore the unimodular vectors in n.
n
B O O
Lemma 2.3. Let be a Dedekind domain.
O
(a) A subset v ,...,v n is a partial basis of n if and only if span(v ,...,v ) is a
1 k 1 k
{ } ⊂ O O
rank k direct summand of n.
O
(b) Let M be a free summand of n. A subset v ,...,v M is a partial basis of M if
1 k
O { } ⊂
and only if v ,...,v is a partial basis of n.
1 k
{ } O
Proof. Set U = span(v ,...,v ). If v ,...,v is a partial basis for n then U is a rank k
1 k 1 k
{ } O
direct summand of n. We must prove the converse, so assume that U is a rank k direct
O
summand of n. Since U is a rank k projective module generated by k elements, it must be
O
free. Write n = U W. Since [W]= [ n] [U]= 0 0= 0, we have W = n k. Adjoining
O ⊕ O − − ∼ O −
a basis for W then yields a basis for n, so v ,...,v is a partial basis and (a) follows.
1 k
O { }
Part (b) follows from the characterization in part (a) together with Lemma 2.2(b).
2.2.2 Cohen–Macaulay complexes
Aspace is ( 1)-connected if and only if it is nonempty; every spaceis ℓ-connected forℓ 2.
− ≤ −
A simplicial complex X is d-dimensional if it contains a d-simplex but no (d+1)-simplices.
It is d-spherical if it is d-dimensional and (d 1)-connected. Finally, X is Cohen–Macaulay
−
(CM) of dimension d if X is d-spherical and for every k-simplex σk of X, the link Link (σk)
X
is (d k 1)-spherical.
− −
Low dimensions. A simplicial complex X is CM of dimension 0 if X is 0-dimensional. X
is CM of dimension 1 if X is 1-dimensional and connected.
9
Links are CM. If X is CM of dimension d, then Link (σk) is CM of dimension d k 1 for
X
− −
all σk X (where the definition requires only (d k 1)-spherical); see [Q, Proposition 8.6].
∈ − −
Asufficient condition tobeCM.Ifad-dimensionalsimplicialcomplexX hastheproperty
that every simplex is contained in a d-simplex, then Link (σk) is (d k 1)-dimensional for
X
− −
all σk X. Therefore, to prove that X is CM of dimension d, it suffices to show that X is
∈
(d 1)-connected, and that for every k-simplex σk X the link Link (σk) is (d k 2)-
X
− ∈ − −
connected.
2.3 The complex (I) of partial I-bases
n
B
Oneof thekey insights in ourproofof Theorem E isthat toinductonn, onemuststrengthen
the inductive hypothesis by working with a more general family of complexes.
Definition 2.4 (Partial I-basis). Fix a surjection L: n ։ . Given an ideal I , a
O O ⊂ O
basis v ,...,v for n is called an I-basis if
1 n
{ } O
L(v ) 0mod I or L(v ) 1mod I for all 1 i n.
i i
≡ ≡ ≤ ≤
A partial basis is called a partial I-basis if it can be completed to an I-basis. The complex
of partial I-bases, denoted (I), is the complex whose (k 1)-simplices are partial I-bases
n
B −
v ,...,v .
1 k
{ }
Remark 2.5. The definition of (I) depends on the choice of L. However, if L : n ։
n ′
B O O
is a differentsurjection, then both kerL andkerL are projective summandswithrk(kerL)=
′
rk(kerL) = n 1 and [kerL] = [kerL] = [ n] [ ] = 0 cl( ). Therefore there exists an
′ ′
− O − O ∈ O
isomorphismΨ: n n suchthatL =L Ψ. Theresultingisomorphism ( ) ∼= ( )
′ n n
O → O ◦ B O −→ B O
induces an isomorphism between the complexes (I) defined with respect to L and L.
n ′
B
Because of this, we will notconcern ourselves with the choice of L except when itis necessary
to clarify our proofs.
We record some observations regarding I-bases and partial I-bases.
(a) When I = , the condition of Definition 2.4 is vacuous, so (I) = ( ).
n n
O B B O
(b) If I J then any I-basis is a J-basis by definition. Therefore any partial I-basis is a
⊂
partialJ-basis, so (I)isasubcomplexof (J). Inparticular, (I)isasubcomplex
n n n
B B B
of ( ).
n
B O
(c) We allow the case I = (0), in which case we simplify notation by writing (0) for
n
B
(I). The subcomplex (0) is contained in (I) for any ideal I since (0) I. We
n n n
B B B ⊂
will see in the proof of Proposition 2.15 below that (0) is the full subcomplex of
n
B
( ) on the unimodular vectors v n which satisfy L(v) = 0 or L(v) = 1.
n
B O ∈ O
(d) A partial basis v ,...,v may not be a partial I-basis even if L(v ) is congruent to
1 k i
{ }
0 or 1 modulo I for all 1 i k. For example, let = Z, let I = 5Z, and take
≤ ≤ O
L: Z2 ։ Z to be L(b,c) = c. The vector v := (2,5) Z2 determines a partial basis
∈
v since (2,5),(1,3) is a basis for Z2. However, although L(v) = 5 0 modI, the
{ } { } ≡
partial basis v is not a partial I-basis. Indeed, any basis (2,5),(b,c) must have
{ } { }
2c 5b = 1, which implies that c 2 or 3mod 5Z. Therefore v is not contained in
− ± ≡
any I-basis for Z2, so v is not a vertex of (I).
2
{ } B
(e) A consequence of the previous paragraph is that for n 3 the complex of partial I-
≥
bases (I) is not a full subcomplex of ( ) in general. With = Z and I = 5Z
n n
B B O O
10
